Topic: AIF - Lighthorse
Australian Light Horse
Roles within the Regiment
Commanding Officer
The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.
Commanding Officer
(1.) It must be borne in mind by all ranks, that the General-Commanding the Forces looks to the Commanding Officer for the care of all arms, clothing, camp equipment on issue to the regiment, as well as the efficiency of every officer, non-commissioned officer and trooper. Consequently, he looks to all ranks to accord him the necessary support to enable him to maintain the credit of the regiment at the highest possible standard.
(2.) When under instruction in Camp, particularly, the Commanding Officer looks:
(1st.) To the Adjutant for the drill, and detail of all duties, and the efficiency of the Permanent Staff and their ability to assist officers in the instruction of their respective units, more especially Guard Duties.Thus establishing, a chain of responsibility from the trooper upwards without which no military organisation can succeed, always remembering that the strength of every chain lies in its weakest link. It is only by careful study of the respective duties of every rank in the regiment, that the Commanding Officer can ever hope to maintain the efficiency, discipline, and a reputation for correct performance of military duty, worthy of the bush horsemen of Australia.(2nd) To the quartermaster for the cleanliness of the lines generally, the provision and distribution of all rations, forage and water at stated hours, the care of Camp equipment and return to stores on conclusion of training. All losses to be accounted for before the troops leave Camp.
(3rd) To Squadron Commanders for the general supervision of their squadrons both in the field and on the horse lines.
(4th) To the Troop Leaders to afford every assistance to their Squadron Commanders.
(5th) To the Troop Sergeants to carry out the details under their troop officers.
(6th) To the Permanent Sections Leaders for the efficiency of their respective sections of fours.
(7th) To the Non-commissioned Officers, to be thoroughly in touch with their duties and have such control of the men entrusted to their charge, so as to carry out all details of Camp routine - to act, as it were, as buffers between the men and officers.
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Further Reading:
Citation: Australian Light Horse, Roles within the Regiment, Commanding Officer
